Big Changes at Gatwick for Airport Drivers
If you’re a taxi or private hire driver regularly working Gatwick runs, listen up. From 29 March 2026 onwards, all easyJet flights at London Gatwick Airport will operate exclusively from the North Terminal for both departures and arrivals. That’s a major shift that’ll affect how you route passengers, where you drop off, and how busy each terminal gets throughout the day.
For years, easyJet has operated from both terminals, meaning drivers had to double-check every booking to ensure they were heading to the right forecourt. While the airline previously split its massive operation between both the North and South terminals, all departures and arrivals now go through the North Terminal to streamline passenger flow and maintenance. This consolidation marks the airline’s biggest operational reorganisation at Gatwick since the 2017 terminal shuffle.
Why This Matters for Drivers
EasyJet isn’t just any carrier at Gatwick—it’s the airport’s largest operator by a mile. The budget airline handles millions of passengers annually, and the sheer volume of traffic means the North Terminal is about to get significantly busier during peak morning departures and evening arrivals. For taxi and private hire drivers, that translates to potentially longer queues at the North Terminal rank and a need to adjust routing and timing expectations.
The change also affects drop-off logistics. The North Terminal is accessible via a free inter-terminal shuttle that runs 24/7, taking just 2-3 minutes from the South Terminal. This change may affect parking and drop-off locations, so passengers are advised to plan accordingly. That means if your passenger mistakenly thinks they’re flying from South Terminal (perhaps based on an old booking), you’ll need to redirect to North—and the shuttle won’t help them if they’ve already been dropped off.
What Hasn’t Changed
The inter-terminal shuttle remains free and runs around the clock, so passengers who do arrive at the wrong terminal aren’t stranded. But as any experienced airport driver knows, time is everything when you’re trying to catch a flight. An unnecessary detour to the wrong terminal can mean the difference between a relaxed check-in and a mad dash through security.
It’s worth noting that other major airlines remain where they were. British Airways continues to operate primarily from the South Terminal, whilst carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Norwegian stick with the North Terminal. But given easyJet’s dominance at Gatwick, this consolidation will reshape passenger flow across the airport.
The Bigger Picture
This move comes as Gatwick continues to expand. The airport is in the midst of major infrastructure projects, including the approved Northern Runway development that will eventually push capacity towards 80 million passengers per year. New airlines have also joined the Gatwick roster in 2026, including Jet2, which launched operations from the South Terminal in March with 29 routes.
For drivers, the takeaway is clear: always confirm the terminal with your passenger before setting off, and don’t assume easyJet automatically means North Terminal just because that’s been their “main” base. With this consolidation now in effect, it’s simpler—but old habits and outdated information online could still catch people out.
Practical Advice for the Rank
If you’re picking up arriving passengers, expect the North Terminal arrivals hall to be busier than before, particularly on peak travel days and during school holidays. The rank itself may see longer wait times as passenger volumes shift. For departures, double-check your passenger’s airline and terminal before you leave—it’ll save you both time and potential hassle at the forecourt.
And a reminder: whilst Gatwick’s terminals are well signposted, passengers unfamiliar with the airport often don’t realise the two terminals are separated by an active runway. You can’t walk between them. That free shuttle is the only option, and whilst it’s quick, it’s another step that adds stress for anyone running late.
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